These fortified homesteads, which flourished between the 13th and 15th centuries, were typically built by Anglo-Norman settlers and wealthy Gaelic families who wanted defensible residences that demonstrated their status and power. The site consists of a raised rectangular platform, roughly 40 metres by 30 metres, surrounded by a water-filled moat that would have served as both a defensive barrier and a source of fresh fish for the household.

Archaeological evidence suggests the platform once supported a timber hall house, along with various outbuildings including kitchens, storage facilities, and possibly a small chapel. The moat itself, still visible today though partially silted up, would have been crossed by a wooden drawbridge; the earthwork where it connected to the platform remains clearly defined. Fragments of medieval pottery discovered at the site indicate it was occupied well into the 16th century, though by then such moated sites were becoming obsolete as firearms made their defensive features less effective.

Today, the site sits quietly in the Galway countryside, its grassy banks and tree-lined moat offering a peaceful glimpse into medieval Irish life. While no structures remain standing, the earthworks are remarkably intact, allowing visitors to clearly trace the outline of this once-bustling fortified farmstead. The site represents an important piece of Ireland’s medieval heritage, illustrating how Norman and Gaelic cultures blended to create a uniquely Irish form of defensive architecture that dotted the landscape during the Middle Ages.